THE ashes of Welsh football legend John Charles will be brought home to rest in Wales, his widow said last night.

Glenda Charles said she had been overwhelmed by the "fantastic" tributes from all corners of the globe to her husband, who died on Saturday.

Speaking from their home in Leeds, she said: "He was always a Welshman at heart. I want John's memorial service in Wales to be a wonderful happy celebration of his colourful life.

"There must be singing and thanks, along with hwyl and hiraeth at his final Welsh farewell."

Tributes poured in yesterday to Charles, who was 72.

During his career he played for Wales, Cardiff, Juventus and Leeds United and was known as "the Gentle Giant".

Mrs Charles added: "I'm just over-whelmed with it all. I knew how much people really loved him but I have never seen as many tributes given to any sportsman before.

"It is lovely to know all these people have called to say how much they admired him.

"John's funeral will be held here in Leeds but we will eventually have a memorial service in Swansea.

"He will go back to Wales. I just feel it's the right thing to do. He belongs to Wales. I just feel it's the right thing for him.

"He didn't say much about Wales but you knew that was where he was from. He was born there and although he loved Leeds as a town, Wales was his home and he played for his country."

Charles was admitted to hospital in January after feeling unwell before a guest appearance on an Italian TV programme.

Earlier this month, the front section of his right foot was amputated in Milan due to gangrene caused by circulation problems, a month after he underwent heart surgery.

He was then flown to Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield.

Wales' First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, said: "We have lost one of the greatest Welshmen of the 20th century."

Mr Morgan said the 6ft 2ins legend had iconic status among Italians.

"It's only when you are in Italy - in Turin or Rome - that you realise just how high his reputation is. He is almost regarded as a saint in Italy as he resolutely refused to use his immense power and strength to overcome others."

Charles starred in the 1958 World Cup and told Mr Morgan of his "immense regret" at not being able to play in a quarter-final match against Brazil which the Welsh side lost 1-0.

Mr Morgan said Charles was injured and believed the team could have drawn, if not won, if he had been playing.

Former Wales manager Mike England had the privilege of playing alongside Charles for their country - and will never forget it.

Mostyn-born England, who now lives in Prestatyn, was a 20-year-old when he toured South America with the Welsh squad in 1962, and together he and his idol had the task of marking Pele in a game against Brazil.

Mike said: "For a young lad it was an incredible experience playing with the likes of John, Ivor Allchurch, Cliff Jones and Jack Kelsey.

"John was just a lovely fellow and a brilliant player. He was such a big man but he had a great sense of balance and great control. He was a complete footballer.

"He should have been made Sir John long ago because he was one of the finest players this country has ever produced. He was certainly the greatest Welsh player ever.

"The Italian fans never forgot one particular incident when he was through on goal but noticed a player seriously injured, so instead of scoring he put his foot on the ball."

Professor Geraint Jenkins of the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies, University of Wales, Aberystwyth said: "John would stay with us. We first met when I edited a book called Cewri'r Bel-Droed yng Nghymru (Wales' Soccer Heroes). I also introduced him at his honorary degree ceremony.

"When I was a child everybody I know didn't want to play like John Charles - we wanted to be John Charles.

"I will never forget him rising like a giant kite to head in a goal against Scotland at Ninian Park in 1961 in front of 60,000 people."

Chairman of Aberystwyth Town FC Tony Bates said: "He was our honorary life president and I met him when he opened our new stand and clubhouse.

"He was a wonderful chap. I introduced him to my father, also a Swansea boy, who was over the moon to meet him."